Leaf spring



July 30, 1929. J. HEMMERT LEAF SPRING 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Oct. 6. 1926 Patented July 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES fr orFicE.

CHRISTIAN J. HEMMERT, F WAPAKONETA, OHI.

LEAF SPRING.

Application filed October k6, 1926. Serial No. 139,867.

This invention relates to leaf springs such as are used on vehicles of all sorts and also in connection with other mechanisms.

More particularly the invention relates to an anti-friction device for leaf springs.

One important object of the invention is to provide an improved form of spring having anti-friction means associated with the leaves so that they will readily move, one upon the other, whilebending. I i

A second important object of the invention is to provide an improved leaf spring wherein squeaking, due to rubbing friction will be entirely eliminated.

l5 A third important object of the invention is to provide a spring of this character which can be manufactured in a simple and economical manner and in which there will be no parts liable to be lost or get out of order.

l/Vith the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in the f several views, and:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through a spring constructed in acocrdance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view of one end of a spring showing one modification of the invention showing a roller bearing.

Figure 3 is a similar view showing a modilisation using a. ball bearing.

Figure 4 is a detail plan view of the roller socket of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detail plan view of the ball socket of Figure 3.

In each of the forms here shown there is provided a series of spring leaves 10 graduated in length in the ordinary manner in which such leaf springs are constructed. Also the longest leaf of each spring is provided at each end with a shackle eye 11.

In the form shown in Figure 1 each of the leaves except the longest is provided close to each end in the face adjacent the next longer leaf with a small socket 12 wherein is seated a ball 13 which projects slightly above the surface of the leaf so as to bear against the next longer leaf and hold the leaves at their ends in spaced relation. This ball, when the spring bends, rolls on the leaf against which it bears and thus forms an anti-friction member and also prevents squeaking. In the form shown in Figure 2 each leaf has spaced from each end thereof a slot 1a wherein is seated a roller 15 which bears against the end of the next shorter leaf, the next longer leaf serving to close one side of the slot. For the longest leaf, provided with the eyes 11, naturally some other provision must be made to close the slot and, for that purpose, the material of the spring at each eye is bent to form a cover plate extension 16.- The form shown in Figure 3 is exactly like the form shown in Figure 2 except that in Figure 3 a round opening or bore 17 is provided and in this opening is held a ball 18 of slightly greater diameter than the thickness of t-he spring as is the roller 15.

Tt will be seen that in each form anti-friction means is provided between all of the leaves and that the spring leaves are held at their ends out of contact so that they move easily over each other without rubbing and squeaking.

There has thus been provided a simple and eicient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as'properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described the invention,

what is claimed as new, is:

In a leaf spring, a series of spring leaves graduated in length and each having adjacent each end an opening extending through the leaf, a short leaf covering the openings in the shortest leaf of the series, shackle eyes on the ends of the longest leaf of the series having terminal portions extending toward the middle of said leaf and covering the openings therein, and anti-friction members held in said openings.

In testimony whereof he aflixes his signature.

CHRISTIAN J. HEMMERT. 

